novellhall Chapter 4: Conditions Maxed Out
Chapter 4: Conditions Maxed Out
In the evening, smoke rises from the street food stalls in this small town in eastern Guangdong.
Wei Yi walked at the front, followed by a string of prominent figures in the domestic art world.
Tian Erzhuang from Beijing Film Academy, Liao Xianghong, Vice President of the Central Academy of Drama, Ding Ruru, Head of the Directing Department, Ge Lang, Vice President of the Shanghai Theatre Academy, and Li Jianping, Head of the Directing Department.
They all set aside their usual airs and came to enjoy the most authentic local home-style dishes.
These people arrived after six o'clock.
It was dinnertime.
People traveled all the way from the capital and Shanghai to come here.
It wouldn't be right to let people go hungry at this point.
We have arrived at our destination.
A home renovation—
Okay, there's basically no renovation.
It's just a roadside food stall with an iron shed and a canvas roof set up on an open space by the roadside.
But it's been open for many years and the taste is quite good.
Plastic tables and chairs were set up, and several authentic side dishes were served, along with a thick and creamy sweet potato porridge, creating a warm and homey atmosphere.
Wei Yi scooped up a spoonful of porridge, put down the spoon, and spoke first.
"I'm sure all the teachers are curious: I got a perfect score, so why am I focusing on art schools instead of Tsinghua or Peking University?"
The table fell silent instantly.
Yes.
This is indeed a very intriguing matter.
Several pairs of eyes fell on him, waiting for the answer that had troubled everyone for so long.
"My parents both dreamed of becoming stars when they were young, but unfortunately they never had the chance to realize it in their lifetime."
Wei Yi spoke in a calm tone, with just the right amount of melancholy.
"My mother passed away when I was in elementary school, and my father passed away when I was in my first year of high school."
"I chose this path because I want to fulfill their unfulfilled dreams."
After those words were spoken, no one at the table said anything.
Only Wei Yi himself knew the truth.
He made all of that up.
If his parents were still alive, they would know that he was giving up a place at one of the top universities in the country.
If he insists on learning to act and making movies, it would be a miracle if his parents didn't hang him up and give him a good beating.
"Good child! What a loyal and kind child!"
Tian Erzhuang was the first to slam his fist on the table, his eyes looking a little hot.
It was an act.
However, Lao Tian really didn't expect this astonishingly perfect genius.
The reason for choosing an art school is actually this.
At this moment, Tian Erzhuang couldn't wait to go to Wei Yi's house and offer incense to the ancestral tablets of Wei Yi's parents!
Liao Xianghong nodded in agreement, her tone full of approval:
"Of all virtues, filial piety is the most important. Wei Yi, just because of your heart, no matter which path you take in the future, you will walk the right path."
Ge Lang and Li Jianping echoed their sentiments, showering Wei Yi with praise.
While they praised him verbally, they were secretly overjoyed.
If it weren't for Wei Yi's parents' dying wish...
How could art schools possibly compete for such a once-in-a-century genius who scores a perfect score?
Those are the people that Tsinghua and Peking University students fight tooth and nail to get into.
Now sit in front of them.
In the time it takes to share a bowl of sweet potato porridge, you'll have a chance to snatch it.
How is this any different from a pie falling from the sky?
The group kept eating with their chopsticks, enjoying their porridge with local braised dishes and pickled vegetables.
But the tension in their words was already building.
Tian Erzhuang wiped his mouth and was the first to speak, afraid that someone would intercept him if he was a step too late.
"Wei Yi, on behalf of the Beijing Film Academy, I'm here to tell you the truth."
"As long as you choose Beijing Film Academy and our directing department, you can name any conditions you want, and all the resources in the university will be prioritized for you."
"We'll reserve your spot for the combined bachelor's, master's, and doctoral program, and you can apply for the maximum amount of national and university scholarships."
He paused, lowered his voice, and leaned closer to add a sentence.
"Although our Dean Zhang didn't come, he specifically instructed that as long as your request is reasonable, we can meet it."
Even if it's a little unreasonable. For example... if you want to meet a popular celebrity in the industry and make friends, the school can help you make connections.
Upon hearing this, Liao Xianghong and Ding Ruru's faces immediately darkened.
That old bastard Tian Erzhuang has no shame when it comes to snatching people away!
No, he was referring to Dean Zhang.
That old bastard Zhang Huijun is just as shameless.
No matter how dissatisfied they were, they were faced with Wei Yi, a genius who could rewrite their school resume.
They absolutely cannot afford to lose.
Liao Xianghong spoke directly, her tone resolute and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.
"Wei Yi, come to the Central Academy of Drama. Whatever conditions the Beijing Film Academy can offer you, the Central Academy of Drama will double them."
"Whether it's faculty, resources, or future development platforms, the Central Academy of Drama is in no way inferior to the Beijing Film Academy, and the compensation you receive will only be higher. Moreover, among art schools, the Central Academy of Drama is the highest-ranking!"
Ding Ruru nodded in agreement and added, "Our directing department is willing to offer you private lessons. We can help you invite some of the top directors in the country."
Ge Lang watched as the Beijing Film Academy and the Central Academy of Drama clashed head-on.
He knew perfectly well what was going on.
In terms of overall strength, the Shanghai Theatre Academy is indeed no match for its two older counterparts, the Beijing Film Academy and the Central Academy of Drama.
If you want to snatch someone, you have to take the shortcut and use something solid to force them.
He smiled, spoke slowly, and directly unleashed his trump card.
"Xiao Wei, I don't need to say much about what Shanghai is. It's the economic center of the country, the place with the highest concentration of film and television capital. The opportunities and connections there are unmatched by any other place."
"As long as you are admitted to the Shanghai Theatre Academy, the school will immediately help you apply for special housing allocation for talents in Shanghai, which will directly solve your housing problem in Shanghai in the future."
After these words were spoken, the table fell silent once more.
The significance of houses in Shanghai is undeniable.
Tian Erzhuang: Damn it!
Liao Xianghong: Damn it, there are even more shameless ones!
But the capital city is not like Shanghai; Grandet could pull off such a stunt.
They're in the capital; they really wouldn't dare pull this stunt.
They had no choice but to make demands in other areas.
The three universities went back and forth, each with increasingly stringent requirements.
The scramble for them is no less intense than the previous bidding war between Tsinghua and Peking Universities.
Tian Erzhuang was sweating profusely with anxiety, Liao Xianghong's eyes were sharp, and Ge Lang's smile was confident.
Finally, everyone's eyes were fixed on Wei Yi, waiting for his final words.
Wei Yi put down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth.
In fact, he had already made up his mind.
Under everyone's gaze, he spoke, his tone calm and without the slightest hesitation.
"I choose Beijing Film Academy."
The four words, like a thunderclap, exploded on the table.
Tian Erzhuang was stunned for two seconds, then suddenly jumped up from the chair, his smile stretching all the way to his ears, and he almost floated away.
"Good! Good! Good boy! My trip here wasn't in vain!"
He slapped his thigh, so excited he could barely speak.
In contrast, the expectation on Liao Xianghong and Ge Lang's faces vanished instantly, leaving only deep disappointment.
Seeing Tian Erzhuang gesticulating wildly, the jealousy in their eyes was almost overflowing.
Just as Tian Erzhuang was getting carried away with his success, Liao Xianghong suddenly spoke up, directly undermining him in front of everyone.
"Wei Yi, we respect your choice."
She changed the subject, staring at Wei Yi, her tone incredibly sincere.
"But if, of course, I mean if, you suffer any injustice or have any unpleasant experience while studying at the Beijing Film Academy, you can transfer to the Central Academy of Drama at any time."
"We at the Central Academy of Drama will accept you unconditionally. And we guarantee that you will absolutely not suffer the slightest grievance."
Upon hearing this, Tian Erzhuang was stunned.
Then it exploded.
"Liao Xianghong! What do you mean?!"
He glared, and his voice rose sharply.
"How could we let this good child suffer! Stop trying to poach him, you're dreaming!"
Liao Xianghong glanced at him, didn't reply, and just looked at Wei Yi, her attitude was clear.
Just then.
Grand also chimed in with a grin, delivering a decisive blow.
"That's right, Xiao Wei, the same goes for the Shanghai Theatre Academy."
"No matter when you want to transfer to Shanghai, the doors of our Shanghai Theatre Academy will always be open for you, and all the conditions we agreed on before will stand."
The two sang in harmony.
The excitement of Tian Erzhuang was immediately dampened by a bucket of cold water.
The smile on his face vanished instantly, and he became completely calm.
Looking at the two groups of people eyeing him menacingly.
Tian Erzhuang's heart skipped a beat.
He originally thought that once Wei Yi was secured, the matter would be perfectly settled.
Only now do I realize that bringing Wei Yi into the Beijing Film Academy was just the first step in a long journey.
How can we retain people in the future, and how can we ensure that Wei Yi can study at Beijing Film Academy with peace of mind?
The most important thing for Beijing Film Academy going forward is to help him truly succeed!